By Scott Divine
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been immersed in the parables of Jesus—stories meant to be remembered, shared, and witnessed. Jesus knew that a story can change a heart, and a changed heart can change the world. Our church, First United Methodist of Madison, has its own story—a living parable that began nearly two centuries ago with a promise to be a beacon of God’s love in the heart of this city.
This fall, we have been asked to continue to write the story of this faith community and pledge our support for an unknown future, with a radical trust that god will show us the way.
Here is where we stand:
Our goal for the 2026 stewardship campaign is $800,000, and thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve already received $596,000 in pledges. That’s something to celebrate! But we still have about $204,000 to go.
If you’ve already pledged, thank you—you are writing our story together. If you haven’t yet, I invite you to prayerfully consider making your pledge today. It’s not just about closing a gap; it’s about ensuring that this great story of love in downtown Madison continues to unfold for generations to come.
You can grab a pledge card on your way out, mail it in or drop it off. Or visit fumc.org/give. Every gift matters. Together, we can finish this campaign strong and step boldly into the future, sharing the stories of Jesus and writing the next chapter of our own story.
Thank you for your faithfulness, your generosity, your love of our Lord and your love of your neighbor.